Fedor Emelianenko stops Frank Mir at Bellator 198

If you like quick fights, Saturday’s Bellator 198 show was for you.

In the night’s main event, Fedor Emelianenko defeated Frank Mir by first round TKO in just 48 seconds to advance in the Bellator heavyweight title tournament against Chael Sonnen.

Mir attacked early, using his size and power to hurt the Russian with a punch. Emelianenko rallied quickly with a judo throw and kept Mir off guard, hitting a left uppercut while Mir was charging forward. Mir dropped to his knees and Emelianenko punched Mir out while he was in turtle position on the ground. 

This was Mir’s first fight in Bellator and the first time he’s fought since a USADA suspension following his March 2016 loss against Mark Hunt. He was released by the UFC in July 2017. This was Emelianenko’s first fight since losing via first round KO to Matt Mitrione last November.

In other action, the first four fights on the main card all ended in submission, three in the first round. Considering three of the fights featuring BJJ studs, that shouldn’t have been a surprise.

In the co-main event, Emmanuel Sanchez got former UFC veteran Sam Sicilia to tap out to an arm triangle choke in the first round (3:52) and made his claim at a title shot with his performance and an impassioned promo afterward. It’s his fourth straight win for Sanchez who is 9-2 in his Bellator career. 

The show began with Conor McGregor stablemate Dillon Danis making his pro debut by submitting Kyle Walker with a first round toehold in 1:38. The outspoken Danis got hit with a few punches early, but managed to get the fight down to the ground, working for a leg lock and transitioning to a toehold for the quick tap. This was a 175 pound catchweight fight, but welterweight will be Danis’ division of choice.

From there, the undefeated welterweight Neiman Gracie got into the submission mix by defeating Javier Torres with a second round arm triangle choke. The 29-year-old is now 8-0 with six of those coming in Bellator.

Another BJJ black belt making his presence felt was middleweight Rafael Lovato Jr. who submitted UFC veteran and late replacement Gerald Harris via first round armbar (1:11). He remains undefeated at 8-0 and has finishes in seven of them.

In the one prelim fight that made the main card, Eric Wisely submitted Morgan Sickinger by first round submission via armbar (1:11).